ames sits down with author Kent Heckenlively to unpack Catastrophic Disclosure—a sweeping case for UFO crashes, secret retrieval programs, and a looming “disclosure moment.” James stays skeptical but curious as they talk whistleblowers, congressional hearings, Peruvian “alien” mummies, and dire-wolf genetics. If you’ve ever wondered how to think clearly when institutions spin, grifters swarm, and the evidence is messy, this episode will give you a practical framework—not just for UFOs, but for every big, confusing story in the news.

Ryan Holiday returns to discuss Wisdom Takes Work — a conversation about learning, humility, and the difference between knowledge and wisdom. James and Ryan explore why AI can’t teach judgment, why doing hard things matters, and how practicing curiosity can lead to a wiser, more meaningful life.

Journalist Jeff Pearlman joins James to uncover the real Tupac Shakur—the poet, performer, and revolutionary spirit behind the legend. They talk about Tupac’s contradictions, his mother’s influence, the stories that shaped his music, and the mystery of his final days. A powerful look at art, identity, and what greatness might have become.

Former FBI operative Eric O’Neill—who caught America’s most notorious spy—joins James to reveal how espionage has gone digital. From dark web secrets to everyday scams, O’Neill explains how modern hackers manipulate people more than machines—and what you can do to stay safe in a world that’s already under attack.

A Note from James I first got really impressed with Steven Pinker when he wrote The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined. He basically shows that over the past 10,000 years, every single century has been less violent than the one before it. You might think, “That can’t include the 20th century,” right? We had World War I, World War II, atomic bombs, the flu pandemic of 1920, Vietnam—all these massive wars. But when you look at violent deaths per capita, the 20th century was actually less violent than the 1800s, which were less violent than the 1700s, and so on. It’s a beautiful, data-driven argument for optimism. But it’s his latest book that really fascinated me: When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life. That subtitle alone—“common knowledge and the mysteries of money, power, and everyday life”—you can’t just skip past that. You have to know what it means. Take poker, for example. If someone bluffs you, you have to think: are they bluffing? Or are they making me think they’re bluffing, but they’re not? Or do they know that I think they’re bluffing, so now they’re actually not bluffing at all? That kind of circular reasoning—what philosophers call “common knowledge”—shows up in real life all the time. Like when you ask someone up for “a cup of coffee” after a date. You’re not really talking about coffee. But you’re also not saying what you actually mean. You’re hinting. You’re creating a safe, ambiguous space where both people know what’s being suggested without anyone having to say it outright. The same thing happens when you ask your boss, “Can we discuss taking on more responsibilities?” instead of saying “I want a raise.” We give partial information all the time, because being direct can change the relationship—or close off possibilities. Steven and I talked about why we communicate this way, how shared knowledge shapes everything from flirtation to power to money, and what happens when that balance breaks down. And by the way—if you’ve never seen Steven Pinker—he looks exactly like what you’d imagine a Harvard professor to look like. Long white hair, sharp blue eyes, and this kind of wild genius energy. Jay and I joked that he looks like Einstein meets Jimmy Page meets Beethoven. He’s the best-looking academic I’ve ever seen. Anyway, here’s our conversation on When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday Life, with my good friend Steven Pinker. Episode Description In this conversation, James and Steven Pinker explore how much of life runs on signals, innuendo, and the unsaid. Pinker explains how “common knowledge”—what everyone knows that everyone else knows—shapes everything from romantic attraction to political polarization to financial panics. They discuss why laughter matters, how game theory explains social awkwardness, and why being “brutally honest” all the time can destroy relationships. From Seinfeld to poker tables to the stock market, Pinker shows that our most human moments depend on the subtle art of leaving things unsaid. What You’ll LearnWhy subtle hints and shared assumptions keep relationships, negotiations, and societies stableHow laughter creates “common knowledge” and strengthens social bondsThe role of game theory and “recursive thinking” in everything from dating to diplomacyWhy total honesty isn’t always a virtue—and how “rational hypocrisy” preserves relationshipsHow stock market behavior, toilet paper hoarding, and bank runs all reflect the same hidden logic Timestamped Chapters[00:00] Introduction – When everyone knows that everyone knows [03:00] A Note from James: Why Pinker’s optimism matters [08:00] The hidden rules of communication and “weasel words” [10:00] Why we hint, wink, and avoid blurting the truth [13:00] “I love you” and the creation of common knowledge [16:00] How humor and laughter level the playing field [20:00] Politics, laughter, and social signaling [27:00] Bluffing, poker, and recursive thinking [31:00] Negotiation, honesty, and the limits of directness [38:00] Rational hypocrisy vs. radical honesty [42:00] Stock markets, speculation, and public knowledge [47:00] The toilet paper paradox: when panic becomes reality [56:00] Why intimacy can’t be legislated [01:00:00] Trade-offs, awareness, and flexible social norms [01:01:00] The “Sagan Curse” and being a public intellectual [01:04:00] The logic behind life’s unspoken rules Additional ResourcesSteven Pinker – When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows: Common Knowledge and the Mysteries of Money, Power, and Everyday LifeSteven Pinker – The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has DeclinedSteven Pinker – Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Journalist Ian Frisch didn’t just write about a secret society of magicians—he joined it. James talks with him about obsession, performance, and how magic’s hidden world mirrors our own need for meaning, mastery, and connection.

Morgan Housel joins James Altucher to talk about The Art of Spending Money, how to “buy” independence instead of things, and why the goal of wealth is fewer bad days, not more good ones. Together they explore identity, contentment, and the psychology behind what truly makes life rich.

Bill O’Reilly joins James Altucher to discuss his new book Confronting Evil, a sweeping look at the world’s most destructive figures—from Hitler and Mao to Putin and modern cartels. They talk about why evil spreads faster in the digital age, how to confront it without losing your humanity, and why, despite everything, there’s still hope.

On Miesha Tate’s Built for Growth podcast, James Altucher shares how he rebuilt his life by writing 10 ideas a day, why obsession is the secret to mastery, and how to find fulfillment beyond money or titles. Together, Miesha and James explore education, resilience, and why experiments—not repetition—are the real path to growth.

Chess.com’s Danny Rensch opens up about his extraordinary childhood growing up in a cult, where his chess talent became both propaganda and survival. He shares how purpose was weaponized against him, what it means to reclaim your own story, and how chess ultimately saved his life.

Pulitzer Prize winner Charles Duhigg (Super Communicators, The Power of Habit) joins James to talk about how to communicate in a polarized world. They discuss why humans are wired for connection, how to ask better questions, and how to turn arguments into understanding.

Former FBI agent Martin Suarez lived over a decade undercover inside Colombian cartels—smuggling cocaine, laundering money, and surviving assassination attempts while secretly working for the U.S. government. With co-author Ian Frisch, he reveals how he built the perfect cover, the psychological tricks that kept him alive, and the surprising lessons anyone can use about confidence, negotiation, and trust.

In this bonus episode, James and Brian talk about why success requires both humility and arrogance, how even Nobel winners face imposter syndrome, and why some quests can reshape science itself. Brian previews his next book on Jim Simons and the bold idea of Chern–Simons Theory, which may explain the very arrow of time.

Cosmologist Brian Keating joins James to talk about Nobel Prize winners, the Keating Test for AI, and how to find focus without losing curiosity. They debate “stay in your lane” advice, share lessons on communication and time management, and explore why wisdom matters more than ever in the age of AI.

James Altucher talks with Ventura Labs about obsession, AI, and building TAO Synergies into a public company. From his early AI work on Deep Blue to creating TAO Daily, James shows how obsession fuels innovation—and how decentralized AI could reshape crypto, business, and the future of work.

Rick Harrison, star of Pawn Stars, shares why the pawn business is the oldest—and best—form of banking. From Rolex watches to Civil War coins, Rick explains how stories create value, why millions of Americans turn to pawn shops, and what keeps his show fresh after 21 seasons.

Tristan de Montebello went from complete beginner to World Championship finalist in under a year. He joins James to share the mindsets and strategies that make communication powerful—from humor and vulnerability to analogies and flow. Whether you’re speaking on stage, in meetings, or anywhere else, these lessons will change the way you connect.

Astro Teller, head of Alphabet’s X, explains how moonshot projects like self-driving cars, drone delivery, and grid modernization move from science fiction to reality. James and Astro break down the mindset, systems engineering, and bold thinking that create breakthroughs — and what it means for our future.

What if college isn’t the best path to becoming who you want to be? Author Matt Smith joins James to share The Preparation—a four-year alternative built on real-world cycles like EMT training, firefighting, entrepreneurship, and even Muay Thai in Thailand. Learn why becoming an expert generalist matters in the age of AI and how young people can design their own hero’s journey.

Author and podcast host Case Kenny joins James to challenge the idea of “settling down” in relationships. They discuss the science behind attraction, why dating to be seen matters more than being liked, and how playfulness and humor create stronger connections.